Kurdish Village Preserves Rare Tomato Seed for 150 Years

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – For more than a century and a half, farmers in the village of Faqe Mustafa have carefully guarded a unique agricultural treasure: a rare type of tomato whose distinct flavor, born from the area's specific soil and water, has made it a highly sought-after and high-value product in the Kurdistan Region.

Located in the Chamchamal district within the Garmian Independent Administration, the village of Faqe Mustafa is home to a community where agriculture is a deeply ingrained family tradition.

The residents, who inherited the farming profession directly from their fathers and grandfathers, cultivate several types of agricultural products, but they place a special importance on their unique tomato, which has earned a special reputation and is consistently in high demand.

"This work has been passed down to us from our fathers and grandfathers," one of the farmers stated. "Our tomato is exceptional and is in high demand."

The remarkable quality of this particular tomato is attributed by the local farmers to a combination of two key environmental factors: the fertile soil of the region and the unique, salty water used for its irrigation. This combination, they explain, has given the tomato a distinct taste and flavor that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

The farmers have meticulously managed to preserve the seed of this special variety for over 150 years, ensuring its purity and continuity through generations. "We have protected the seed of this tomato for 150 years," a farmer said. "The soil and the water also give it a unique characteristic."

This uniqueness translates directly into significant economic value. Despite market fluctuations that can see the price of ordinary tomatoes drop, the Faqe Mustafa tomato consistently maintains a high price. 

One of the farmers noted that even if the price of a regular tomato in the market is as low as 150 dinars, their locally-grown specialty product sells for at least a thousand dinars. This confidence in their product is palpable.

"I challenge all of Kurdistan and Iraq; no one can produce this type of tomato except on our soil and with our water," one farmer confidently stated.

The efforts of the Faqe Mustafa farmers are being bolstered by a wider regional trend. 

In recent years, the Kurdistan Regional Government has placed a greater importance on supporting and promoting local products, a policy that has become a powerful incentive for the farmers of this village and others to continue their agricultural work and secure their livelihoods.

Consequently, despite the higher price of their produce compared to imported varieties or those from other areas, the farmers of Faqe Mustafa village report that they never have any trouble selling their products due to the consistent and high demand from consumers who value its exceptional quality.

 
Kurdistan24's correspondent Aras Amin contributed to this report.